Dan’s Daily: What Winnipeg Said on Penguins Trade; Poutine in the Cup

The Pittsburgh Penguins made the big trade on Thursday, surprising just about everyone as the Penguins and Winnipeg Jets swapped top prospects. We’ve got full analysis, video, and the other side of the trade from the Winnipeg media. The prospect of acquiring top prospect goalie Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators has a few teams side-eyeing with interest. The Hughes brothers are fronting the cover of NHL 25, and Travis Konecny is dealing with the aftermath of a devastating house fire.

We also rolled through a Penguins live chat yesterday. Readers requested, and who am I to say no? I finally solved all of the sound issues by busting out the really expensive mic and figuring out where the two problems existed. The good mic is pretty big, but for an old radio guy, it brings warmth and depth. So, no more pops, spikes, or drops.

I’m a little envious of podcasters. It’s a much easier way to make a living (if you’re good and have a few hundred thousand followers). For the coming season, I’d like to book guests and have some conversations rather than blathering for an hour, but I do appreciate the questions–they keep it fun.

Pittsburgh Penguins Trade, News

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the trade broke, and everyone stopped to take notice. Top prospect for top prospect. The 2022 14th overall pick for the 2023 14th overall pick. Brayden Yager for Rutger McGroarty. Here are the full deets on the Penguins trade.

And then…McGroarty did what he wouldn’t do with Winnipeg. McGroarty signed his entry-level contract.

Here’s the full analysis. It was a unique trade, and we broke it down from some unique angles, as well as the fallout and projections. I hope you enjoy the Penguins’ analysis.

Now, let’s do the Winnipeg side from TSN. Winnipeg was doing cartwheels on the return.

TSN Video: Trade verdict–Winnipeg gets equal talent.

Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was pretty happy with his return for the disgruntled prospect who basically told them to pound salt. Here’s the Jets’ reaction.

If you read my analysis first, the Jets’ reaction might make you ask some questions. Here’s the short: if Winnipeg indeed got equal value, then it was a bad trade for the Penguins. So, is Winnipeg spinning, or did Dubas overpay?

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: There’s a hotshot goalie prospect who wants a new home because the net is blocked in Nashville. One team that seems to make a lot of sense–and here’s why–is the Colorado Avalanche.

Here’s the full story on why Askarov requested a trade and how the situation became untenable with the Nashville Predators.

Sportsnet: Perhaps we should keep an eye on the top prospects in 2025. Sportsnet laid out the top 10 2025 NHL Draft prospects.

Philly Hockey Now: It was a scary news story, but fortunately, the Konecnys were not home. Their New Jersey home suffered devastating fire damage. Here’s the story of Travis Konecny’s house fire.

New Jersey Hockey Now: It’s a new era in NHL marketing. No more Crosby or Ovechkin. The cover of EA Sports NHL 25 features the Hughes brothers.

NYI Hockey Now: I steered away from the initial controversy because it was a bit ignorant. New Islanders winger Anthony Duclair had to chop off his locks. Of course, Twitter overreacted and accused Islanders president of hockey operations/GM Lou Lamoriello of racism. It’s not racial because everyone has to do it. And that’s the problem, writes our Russel Macias. Is it time to cast aside the Islanders’ rules?

NHL.com: And how about some poutine? Roberto Luongo put his Cup day to good use with some good food. Heck yes. No cereal, let’s have some poutine.